Gout is a very unpleasant condition, but gout and diet can be combined well to counteract this condition and combat any symptoms. Food has a huge influence on our lives, and can therefore also alleviate ailments.
In this article, we look at what gout is, how diet influences gout and which foods are useful in this regard.

What is gout?

Gout And Nutrition1A gout is a well-known form of rheumatism that causes a lot of pain. It is caused by a high uric acid level in your body. Although your body normally gets rid of uric acid, when you have gout your immune system doesn't function as well and this acid stays in your body. This creates crystals around your joints that make moving very painful.

Gout mainly occurs in men over the age of 40 and can also occur in women. There is often only arises after menopause. In only a few minor cases it develops earlier in humans. People who have gout mainly suffer from this at night. The attacks can last about 3 to 10 days, after which the complaints diminish. However, gout is chronic, which can trigger another attack.
To look at the causes of gout, you need to delve into the relationship between gout and diet. They are closer together than you would expect. When your immune system is functioning properly, your body can process normal uric acid levels. However, when you have too much uric acid in your body, this becomes more difficult. Your body can get too much uric acid from:

  • Lots of alcohol consumption
  • overweight
  • Foods rich in purine

However, too high a uric acid level can also be caused by other causes, such as a disease or medication:

  • cancer
  • stress
  • active psoriasis
  • reduced kidney function
  • diuretic food and medication
  • chemotherapy
  • birth defects of your uric acid

Hereditary factors also play a role in the development of gout, but the above factors also continue to influence the development of this condition.

How do you recognize gout?

Gout has several symptoms that are fairly easy to recognize. As a form of rheumatism, it is located around the joints. This can make your joints feel very sore, feel very hot and become swollen. It also regularly happens that the skin around the affected area becomes very red and shiny.

The link between gout and diet

As mentioned above, diet can influence the development of gout. There is therefore a link between gout and diet. One of the substances that can cause gout is a purine. When your body breaks down this substance, uric acid is formed. Purine in itself is not harmful, because your body makes it. However, too much can cause damage.
From research, it has been found that the reduction of power supply with a high purine content is effective in the prevention of gout. Examples of purine-rich foods are organ meats, red meat, fish, and alcohol. There are also vegetables with a higher purine content, but these do not affect the development of gout, another study shows.

Gout and nutrition: What is allowed and what is not allowed?

Gout And Nutrition2In principle, it does not hurt to consume foods with a high purine content if you do this in moderation. A glass of wine or beer now and then should of course also be possible. It is important to take this into account and to avoid these foods more if you have a higher chance of developing gout.
  • organ meats
  • Red meat
  • Sea animals
  • Sugary drinks, such as fruit juices with added sugars and soft drinks
  • Foods with added sugars, such as honey, agave syrup, and syrup
  • Products with a lot of yeast, such as beer and wine, but also nutritional yeast

In addition, it is wise to avoid foods such as white bread and cookies. They may be low in purine, but contain few nutrients that support your immune system. A weak immune system plays a big factor in developing gout, making it important to eat a balanced diet.

Which products can you eat?

If you want to build a healthy immune system and reduce the risk of gout, it is important to eat a balanced diet. You don't have to eliminate certain foods for this, as long as you get enough healthy products with lots of good nutrients. Think about:

  • Fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Legumes, such as peanuts, chickpeas, and beans
  • nuts
  • Whole-wheat products
  • Herbs and spices
  • Milk products and eggs
  • Vegetable oils
  • Beverages such as black coffee, green tea, and water

You may also consume meat as long as you do so in moderation and more often choose a lean alternative, such as plant-based meat substitutes or chicken. Fresh salmon often also contains less purine than other types of fish, so you can eat it more.

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